Amiga.org

Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: curtis on July 18, 2015, 12:06:10 AM

Title: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: curtis on July 18, 2015, 12:06:10 AM
I've been kicking around the idea of an Amiga 1000'esque case for an A500.

Decided to go with oak and plexiglass.

So far here's what I've got!  http://pages.suddenlink.net/curtismc/oak500/oak500.html

Enjoy.

Curtis
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on July 18, 2015, 12:32:00 AM
Wow, nice!  :hammer:
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: QuikSanz on July 18, 2015, 01:06:35 AM
Nice. Hope you have some ventilation slots in the front of the K/B garage on the bottom so you get air in there.

Chris
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: Duce on July 18, 2015, 05:50:57 AM
Neat, always liked seeing casemods, especially on vintage stuff.  Nice stuff!
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: Lurch on July 18, 2015, 08:53:29 AM
How did you do the keyboard?
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: paul1981 on July 18, 2015, 10:51:55 AM
Are you going to replace the CPU with a 68010?
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: curtis on July 18, 2015, 03:07:24 PM
Plenty of ventilation underneath.

I routed the power like underneath and there are just a couple of wood stops so the cord can get to the back.

And, to be honest, there's a bit of a gap around the drives also for ventilation.

Quote from: QuikSanz;792589
Nice. Hope you have some ventilation slots in the front of the K/B garage on the bottom so you get air in there.

Chris
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: curtis on July 18, 2015, 03:10:52 PM
Right now it's just a bamboo pc keyboard.

I also have a 2000 housing that I've used iron on oak veneer to cover it.  Cut a couple of slots for the LED's and everything fits nicely.  But with the power LED on the front and the floppy drive having its own LED, guess I really didn't need ot go that far!

Kicking around either using the modded 2000 keyboard or refinishing the bamboo pc keyboard.  If I refinish the bamboo, there won't be near as much grain showing as with the oak.  After all, bamboo isn't nothing more than grass on steroids!

Quote from: Lurch;792593
How did you do the keyboard?
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: curtis on July 18, 2015, 03:12:10 PM
Probably.

From what I've heard it's pretty much plug and play and get a 15% speed boost.  Not great, but not bad and fairly easy on the pocket book.

Quote from: paul1981;792597
Are you going to replace the CPU with a 68010?
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: golem on July 18, 2015, 04:44:49 PM
Nice organic case. Loving the keyboard too.
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: arttu80 on July 18, 2015, 08:31:40 PM
I don't mean to be rude, but what is the motivation behind all of this wooden craft? I understand, that in 70's hobbyists had to build their own cases for first home computers that they purchased as unassembled kits, but what in the name of holyness with this tree around Amiga? I totally respect the level of crafstmanship but why?  It's like computer in a stone age... But hey, it's just my silly opinion.

http://www.mikrokivikausi.fi/museo2.jpg
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: curtis on July 18, 2015, 09:04:57 PM
Simple answer.  Why not?

Why do people tower-ize a 500?

I like to do woodworking and I like the Amiga.  Why not combine the 2?

Besides, it keeps me off the streets!

At least I didn't Steampunk an Amiga!

Quote from: arttu80;792629
I don't mean to be rude, but what is the motivation behind all of this wooden craft? I understand, that in 70's hobbyists had to build their own cases for first home computers that they purchased as unassembled kits, but what in the name of holyness with this tree around Amiga? I totally respect the level of crafstmanship but why?  It's like computer in a stone age... But hey, it's just my silly opinion.

http://www.mikrokivikausi.fi/museo2.jpg
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: arttu80 on July 18, 2015, 09:17:35 PM
Quote from: curtis;792633


At least I didn't Steampunk an Amiga!


True! That would be by any means weard! I just prefer my stock Amigas and love the way Commodore did 'em (aesthetically wise any way) :). But hey, if it's your "cup of tea" then great!
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: curtis on July 19, 2015, 01:27:39 AM
I agree, especially the 1000.  Love the "garage" for the keyboard.

So, did this in honor of that.

Seems a bit appropriate given we're celebrating 30 years of Amiga!

Quote from: arttu80;792635
True! That would be by any means weard! I just prefer my stock Amigas and love the way Commodore did 'em (aesthetically wise any way) :). But hey, if it's your "cup of tea" then great!
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: QuikSanz on July 19, 2015, 01:33:58 AM
Quote from: curtis;792607
Plenty of ventilation underneath.
and, to be honest, there's a bit of a gap around the drives also for ventilation.


You may be able to clean up those gaps a bit with some thin veneer, matching of course.

Chris
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: Duce on July 19, 2015, 02:00:40 AM
Some people just like a different look.  If they are having fun, even if it isn't to my personal taste, Godspeed.

In a world where computers are all non-descript oblong boxes, I'll never begrudge someone the joy and fun of making their system, be it old or new - just a little more personal and unique.

The casemod industry is a real large one for a reason.
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: Tenacious on July 19, 2015, 05:31:05 AM
Quote from: curtis;792633
Simple answer.  Why not?

Why do people tower-ize a 500?

I like to do woodworking and I like the Amiga.  Why not combine the 2?

Besides, it keeps me off the streets!

At least I didn't Steampunk an Amiga!

I like it!  

In another thread, I mentioned A500 sprawl.  If some one wanted to consolidate many expansions and updates in a single box, this is a great possibility.  Imagine this idea housing Supra's (500XP, Turbo28, AND CDdrive, card reader, etc) expansions folded back underneath the motherboard but over the KB garage.  Wood can be an excellent media for custom fitting everything just right without looking like a Frankenbox of another manufacturer's case.  Thanks for the inspiration!

I like steampunk, especially when it's functional and gears and other bobs are not simply glued on.  ;)
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: DutchinUSA on July 19, 2015, 01:10:17 PM
Steampunk Amiga ... MMmmM .. ah if only there were more hours in a day :)
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: curtis on July 19, 2015, 03:32:55 PM
Dude!!!

You're sick!!!

I like it!

Quote from: DutchinUSA;792666
Steampunk Amiga ... MMmmM .. ah if only there were more hours in a day :)
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: mechy on July 19, 2015, 04:27:28 PM
Quote from: curtis;792609
Probably.

From what I've heard it's pretty much plug and play and get a 15% speed boost.  Not great, but not bad and fairly easy on the pocket book.

More like 5% if that.. the benifeit to having a 68010 is so the quit option works in whdload- other than that you are likely not to notice much difference
Title: Re: Amiga Oak 500
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on July 19, 2015, 09:00:02 PM
Quote from: mechy;792685
More like 5% if that.. the benifeit to having a 68010 is so the quit option works in whdload- other than that you are likely not to notice much difference

And totally worth it, considering they only cost $5 on ebay.  :)